












\.*^ 



























P. 



■^^o< 



'• Digaized by the Internet Arct^i)^ I 
r^ ^^'■^i^^X qO 'in 2%p with funding fronn c>^ *»'^^^<^*' 
•^c. ** '^o"^ ,. The Library oTCongVes^s , ^^ *^o *"'*'* 0^ 



















%.. 



• %tp://)^.| y^q |^^/d^^ 
9 ^ 












THI 



PEDIGREE OF WASHINGTON, 




AND HISTORY OF 



; MOUNT VERNON, 

) FROM n4a TO 1859. 

^ EMBRACING A DESCRIPTIOIf 



TOMBS, MONUMENTS AND MANSION OF WASHINGTON. 

s 

; BY HENSEL & De WOLFE. 



PHILADELPHIA: 

HARRIS, PRINTER, S. B. OOR. FOURTH AND VINE STi. 



1859 



./ j 






nnm 



y3 



THE 

PEDIGREE OF WASHINGTON, 

5.. * 3 
AND HISTOKY OP 's i" i' 

MOUNT VERNON, 

FROM 1743, TO 1859, 
EMBRACING A DESCRIPTION 



TOMBS, MONUMENTS AND MANSION OF WASHINGTON 



BY HENSEL & DeWOLPB. 



PHILADELPHIA: 
HARRIS, PRINTER, S. E. COR. FOURTH AND VINE STREETS. 

1859. ■ 



Gift 

Miss M. C. Codman 

Marcb 1914 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1859, by J. M. HENSEL and 
C. U. De WOLFE, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Eastern Dis- 
trict of Pennsylvania. 



THB 



PEDIGREE OF WASHINGTON, 



As traced by Gwilt Mapleson, Esq., (Editor of "Pearls 
of American Poetry," " Lays of the Western World," 
^'Shakspeare Ballads," &c., &c.,) carries back his de- 
scent to William De Hurtburn, Lord of the Manor of 
Washington, in the county of Durham, England. From 
him descended John Washington, of Whitefield ; time, King 
Kichard III. From him descended Robert of Warton, 
(2nd son) who married Margaret, daughter of Robert 
Kitson, Esq., time, Henry YIL From him descended 
Lawrence of Northampton and Grey's Inn. (He had 
grants of lands of Sulgrave, time, Henry YIII.) He mar- 
ried Anna, daughter of Sir Richard Stanley, knight. From 
him descended John of Sulgrave, time, Edward YI. From 
him descended George of Sulgrave, who married Eleanor, 
daughter and heir of John Hastings, grand-son of the 2nd 
Earl of Huntingdon. From him descended John, who emi- 
grated to America, 1657, and settled in Yirginia, (he mar- 
ried in 1654, Jane, daughter of Sir Hugh Wallace, of Bucks.) 
From him descended Lawrence, of Bridge's Creek, County 
of Westmoreland, Yirginia. He married Anna Pope. 



4 MOUNT VERNON. 

From him descended Augustine, of Bridge's Creek. He 
married Jane Butler. From him him descended Lawrence 
and Augustine. His wife Jane, died; he then married 
Mar J, daughter of Colonel Ball. 

The first child by the second marriage was George 
Washington, the first President of the United States. 

John Washington, who emigrated to America, 1657, (and 
who was great-grandfather to the general,) was the son of 
Eleanor Hastings, daughter and heiress of John Hastings, 
who was grand-son of Francis, second Earl of Huntingdon. 
The mother of John Washington, was descendant through 
Lady Huntingdon,' of George, Duke of Clarence, brother 
to King Edward TV. and King Richard III, by Isabel 
!Nevil, daughter and heiress of Richard, Earl of Warwick, 
the "king-maker and last of the Barons." George Wash- 
ington, therefore, as well as all the descendents of that 
arriage, are entitled to quarter the arms of Hastings, Pole, 
' f.rl of Salisbury, Plantagenet, Scotland, Mortimer, Earl of 
_ : a 'ch, IS'evil, Montague, Beauchamp and Deveraux. 



MOUNT YER]S"ON. 

" There rests the Man, the flower of human kind, 
Whose visage mild bespoke his noble mind ; 
There rests the Soldier, who his sword ne'er drew, 
But in a righteous cause to Freedom true ; 
There rests the Hero, who ne'er fought for fame ; 
Yet gained more glory than a Caesar's name ; 
There rests the Statesman, who, devoid of art, 
Gave soundest counsels from an upright heart. 



MOUNT VERNON. 

And ! Columbia, by thy sons caressed, 
There rests the Father of the realms he bless'd, 
"Who no wish felt to make his mighty praise. 
Like other Chiefs, the means himself to raise ; 
But when retiring, breathed in pure renown, 
And felt a grandeur that disdained a crown." 



Mount Yernon is the American's Mecca, — and a sacred 
spot where every lover of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity 
feels to "take off his shoes," as though he were standing 
on holy ground, and called upon by supernal beings to 
worship at the shrine of LIBERTY ! Many an exile from 
down-trodden Europe, has had his strength renewed, — 
heart cheered, purpose strengthened, and hope elevated, 
while viewing the resting-place of Washington, and medi- 
tating on liberties gained, and triumphs wrought by the 
humanity-loving and world-beloved patriot, statesman and 
sage, George Washington. Ten miles below Alexandria 
and sixteen below Washington City, — almost in sight of a 
Capitol which bears the greatest of republican, as of mor- 
tal names, lies Mount Yernon. It is an estate, named 
after a proud English noble, Admiral Yernon, by Lawrence 
Washington, who inherited it from his father Augustine 
Washington, whose father John Washington, came to 
America in the year 1657. 

The present owner of Mount Yernon is John A. Wash- 
ington, (the 3rd great-grand-nephew of General Washing- 
ton,) who inherited the estate from his father John A. 
Washington, (the 2nd,) who was the liephew of Judge 
Bushrod Washington, and was appointed one of his execu- 



6 MOUNT VERNON. 

tors, and who received the bequeathment of the estate from 
him, where he died, June 16, 1832, aged 43. 

Judge Bushrod Washington, was the son of John A. 
Washington, (the 1st,) and nephew of General Washing- 
ton, who appointed him one of his executors, and bequeathed 
him Mount Yernon. He died in Philadelphia, November 
26th, 1829. 

General Washington was appointed in the Will of his 
half-brother, Lawrence, one of his executors ; and the estate 
of Mount Yernon, bequeathed to his daughter, was to pass to 
the General, if she died without issue ; she did so die, and 
he therefore came in possession of the same July 26^ 1152, 
which he enlarged; at his death, he dying without issue, 
his whole real estate, then amounting to at least ten thou- 
sand acres of land, was divided. Among the recipients 
was Bushrod Washington, who received Mount Yernon 
proper, (after the expiration of the life-estate of General 
Washington's wife) which contained upwards of four thou- 
sand acres. 

The residue of Mount Yernon he gave to Lawrence 

Lewis, making about two thousand acres. He bequeathed 
to the grand son of his wife, and his ward, G. W. P. Custis, 
and his heirs, a tract of land on Four-Mile Run, so called, 
containing one thousand two hundred acres. The balance 
of his real and personal estate was bequeathed to the other 
portion of the children of his brothers and sisters, amount- 
ing altogether to twenty-three in number, and to his own 
nieces and nephews, and his wife's grand-children. 

Augustine Washington, the father of Lawrence and 
George, bequeathed the estate near Hunting Creek (which 
then consisted of twenty-five hundred acres,) to Lawrence, 



MOUNT VERNON. T 

who gave it the name it now bears, as before stated, in 
honor of Admiral Yenion, then high Admiral in the British 
navy, tinder whom Lawrence served in the West Indies. 

Mount Yernon is situated on an eminence, on the western 
bank of the Potomac, commanding from its position a 
grand view of the meanderiugs of this lovely river in 
either direction. The mansion house* was built of the 
most durable frame-work, and has withstood the ravages of 
time remarkably well, it at this date being in a tolerable 
state of preservation. This house is two stories high, 
ninety-six feet long, thirty feet deep, and has a portico 
fifteen feet wide and extends along the entire eastern or 
river front, and is supported by eight square pilasters some 
twenty-five feet high. The portico is surmounted with a 
light and graceful balustrade of peculiar design. Sur- 
mounted upon the centre of the roof is an observatory or 
cupola. There are seven dormer windows on the roof, 
three on the eastern front, one on each end, and two with 
a bulk head on the western or courtyard front. The 
shingles are round on the weather end in the Swiss style. 
The cornice is bold and supported with dental blocks. 

There is a lawn on the west front, flanked on the right 
with gardens and conservatories, containing many valuable 
plants presented to Washington, and preserved by him 
while living. 

The aforementioned lawn, contains some twenty acres, 
having avenues around it with rows of ornamental trees on 
either side of the walk, which is wide enough to drive a 

* Lawrence Washington Tauilt the central portion of the house, in the old 
•' gabled roof" style. 'Twas about one-third its present dimensions, and was 
completely remodeled by George, into ita present state, losing its entire original 
architecture. 



8 MOUNT VERNON. 

coacli and four. There are on the ground-floor of the house, 
six rooms, wainscoted, having large worked cornices and 
shafts, in accordance with the tastes of the olden times. 
A spacious hall is formed in the centre of the building upon 
the same level with the pavement of the portico, which is 
laid with tesselated Italian marble, and communicates with 
three parlors, with the main stairway leading to the cham- 
bers of the second story, and with the observatory. 

The wing to the south of the main building contains the 
library and breakfast-room, with a narrow staircase leading 
to Washington's private study, on the second floor. Among 
the many curiosities and relics contained within the walls of 
Mount Yernon, may be seen an ancient map of Yirginia, 
representing in etched outlines all the territory between the 
Atlantic Ocean and the waters of the Ohio ; upon which 
are to be seen many penciled traces and marks from Wash- 
ington's own hand of the route which he traversed during 
Braddock's disastrous and fatal campaign against the In- 
dians. His spyglass, sword, and other military implements, 
are objects of great interest and curiosity ; likewise the key 
of the Bastde, Avhich is enclosed in a glass case and 
suspended on the wall in the hall of entrance. His bust, 
an original by Hudon, stands upon a bracket, over the 
door of entrance into the library. 

This work of art possesses much interest, from the circum- 
stance of its having been executed from the life, by a mask 
in plaster. It conveys a truly characteristic and strongly- 
marked expression, and is, without doubt, the best likeness 
extant. 

The fire-place of the drawing-room is decorated with a 
rich Italian mantel, presented in the year It 85, to General 



MOUNT VERNON. » 

Washington, by Samuel Yaiighan, Esq., of London, the 
father of the venerable and highly respected John Yaughan, 
of Philadelphia. It is composed of variegated Sienna mar- 
ble, sculptured with a bold chisel, and represents on the 
tablets of the frieze the most prominent objects of agricul- 
ture and husbandry in chaste and beautiful bas-relief. 

SUMMER HOUSE. 

Upon the brow of a hill, some one hundred and fifty yards 
from the river, and about the same distance southeast of 
the mansion, stands the Summer-house, the base of which 
is brick and used as an ice-house. This was, originally, a 
beautiful building, commanding the most prominent and 
agreeable view of, and from the river as you pass up and 
down, but is now in ruins. In the rear of this house is a 
beautiful lawn, containi-ig several acres, and reaching in 
front and beyond the mansion, to the north, planted with 
shrubbery and ornamental trees. 

THE OLD FAMILY YAULT. 

Some thirty yards southwest of the Summer-house can be 
seen the Old Family Yault, in a complete state of ruins, — 
the spot is marked by a mound, rail fence, and several 
lovely cedar trees. Washington had contemplated mov- 
ing this old family vault sometime prior to his death ; and 
in making his will, he left a clause as follows : " The family 
vault at Mount Yernon requiring repairs, and being im- 
properly situated besides, I desire that a new one of brick, 
and upon a larger scale, may be built at the foot of what 
is commonly called the " Yineyard Enclosure," on the 

1* 



10 MOUNT VERNON. 

grouiKj, which is made out, in which my remains and those 
of my deceased relatives, (now in the old family vault,) and 
such other of my family as may choose to be entombed there, 
may be deposited." But it was not finally done until an 
attempt was made some years ago to desecrate this hallowed 
spot by some monster in human form, who entered the 
vault and took a skull and other bones therefrom. The 
robbery was discovered and the bones returned. The 
bones stolen were not those of Washington ; his body hav- 
ing been inurned in a leaden coffin and encased with wood. 
The purposes of Washington's Will were carried oufe 
soon after this robbery in the year 1831, through the 
agency of his nephew Major Lewis. In the old vault the 
body of the hero remained from lt99. until 1831. 

THE NEW VAULT. 

The new tomb is some one hundred and fifty yards west 
of the old vault, and three hundred southwest from the 
mansion, on the side of a sloping hill, surrounded by a 
deep wooded dell, which runs to the water's edge. The 
front of the tomb has an ante- chamber, built of bricks, 
twelve feet high, having in front an iron gateway, flanked 
with pilasters, surmounted by a stone cornice and coping, 
covering a pointed gothic arch. Over this is a plain slab, 
upon which is inscribed the words : 

" "within this inclosure rests the remains of general 
George Washington." 

Beyond the ante-chamber is the vault, built in 1831, or six 
years previous to the ante-chamber, and where the body of 
the chief laid, arched over at the height of eight feet from 



MOUNT VERNON. 11 

the ground, with a rough-cast front, and having a plain 
iron door fixed in a freestone casement. Over this there 
is a stone tablet, with the following words : 

''I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE ; HE THAT BE- 
LIEVETH IN ME, THOUGH HE WERE DEAD, YET SHALL 
HE LIVE." 

In the lapse of thirty years, the wooden coffins enclosing 
the leaden one, which contained the body of Washington, 
have been three times renewed, and ultimately have his 
friends succeeded in placing his bones in a more permanent, 
durable and secure receptacle. Mr. John Struthers, a mar- 
ble and granite cutter of Philadelphia, was consulted by 
the friends of Washington, in reference to the construction 
of a marble sarcophagus to enshrine the remains of the 
illustrious dead. Mr. Struthers, with a deep feeling of 
respect and liberality, desired the privilege of constructing 
and presenting to the friends a sacrophagus made of Penn- 
sylvania marble ; it was granted : and in performing the 
work he has evidently displayed an unusual amount of 
artistic taste and skill in the sculptured execution of the 
same. The following is a description of it: — 

" The construction of the Sarcophagus is of the modern 
form, and consists of an excavation from a solid block of 
marble, eight feet in length, three feet in width, and two 
feet in height, resting on a plinth, which projects four inches 
round the base of the coffin. The lid, or covering stone is a 
ponderous block of Italian marble, emblazoned with the arms 
and insignia of the United States, beautifully sculptured in 
the boldest relief. The design occupies a large portion of 
the central part of the top surface, or lid, and is attached 



12 MOUNT VERNON. 

by cords to a spear, embellished with tassels, forming a 
back-ground to the shield, by which it is supported. The 
crest is an eagle with open wings, perching upon the 
superior bar of the shield, and in the act of clutching the 
arrows and olive branch, Between these armorial bearings 
and the foot of the coffin, upon the plain field of the lid, is 
the bold and deeply sculptured name of 

WASHINGTON. 

The foot of the coffin is incribed as follows : — 

^'BY permission of LAWRENCE LEWIS, ESQ., THIS SARCOPHA- 
GUS OP AVASHINGTON, WAS PRESENTED BY JOHN STRUTHERS, 
OF PHILADELPHIA, MARBLE MASON." 

The sarcophagus was intended to be placed in the new 
vault ; but Mr. Strickland, who accompanied Mr. Struthers 
to Mount Yernon, says : — " Upon a consultation with Ma- 
jor Lewis, after stating to him the difficulties which would 
attend the placing of the sarcophagus in a damp vault, 
and the inappropriateness of the situation for such a work of 
art ; and upon suggesting to him a plan for constructing a 
suitable foundation on the right of the entrance gate, on 
the outside of the vault, between it and the surrounding 
walls, and the practicability of extending the side walls of 
the vault to the surrounding enclosure, and arching it over 
beyond any contact with the soil of the sloping hill, taking 
care to guard the vaulted chamber with metallic roof, with 
an additional grille of iron bars in front, and other fasten- 
ings and securities, as guards against idle curiosity and 
the chances of attempt at desecration, he consented to the 
plan. 

" The iron door was then opened for the first time in the 



MOUNT VERNON. 13 

lapse of seven years, — we then entered accompanied by- 
Major Lewis and his son. After reaching the coffin con- 
taining the remains of Washington, the case which enclosed 
it being much decayed, was stripped off, and the lead of 
lid was found to have sunk considerably from head to foot; 
so much so, as to form a curved line of four to five inches 
in its whole length. This settlement of the metal perhaps 
caused the soldering of the joints to give way about the 
upper or widest part of the coffin. . At the request of Ma- 
jor Lewis, this fractured part was turned over on the lower 
part of the lid, exposing to view a head and breast of large 
dimensions, which appeared to have suffered but little from 
the effects of time. The eye-sockets were large and deep, 
and the breadth across the temples, together with the fore- 
head, appeared of unusual size. There was no appearance 
of grave clothes ; the chest was broad ; the color was dark, 
and had the appearance of dried flesh and skin closely ad- 
hering to the bones. We saw no hair, nor was there any 
offensive odor from the body ; but we observed, when the 
coffin had been removed to the outside of the vault, the 
dripping down of a yellow liquid, which stained the marble 
of the sarcophagus. A hand was laid upon the head and 
instantly removed ; lead of the lid was restored to its place ; 
the body raised by six men, was carried and laid in the mar- 
ble coffin, and the ponderous cover being put on and set in 
cement, it was sealed from sight on Saturday, the Yth of 
October, 1837. 

"Immediately after the performance of this melancholy 
ceremony, the sarcophagus was cased up with plank to 
prevent any injury being done to the carving during the 
operation of enlarging the vault. 



14 MOUNT VERNON. 

"The relatives, consisting of Major Lewis, Lorenzo 
Lewis, John Augustine Washington, George Washington, 
the Reverend Mr. Johnson and Ladj, and Miss Jane 
Washington, then retired to the mansion. 

"It is proper here to remark, that when the wooden case 
was removed from the coffin, a silver breast-plate, in 
the shape of the old continental shield, or escutcheon,* 
was found, upon which was engraved, in Roman charac- 
ters, the date of the birth and death of Washington. 
This escutcheon was about the size of the palm of a 
hand, with an ornamental chased border or margin. It 
had evidently been attached to the leaden lid, but, from 
some cause or other, it had given way, and was found be- 
tween the fragments of the exterior wooden case or cover- 
ing." 

On the left of the gateway, which occupies the other side 
of the ante-chamber, rests the remains of his beloved wife, 
Martha Curtis Washington, in a marble coffin sculptured 
by the same hand, in a plain style, and upon it are these 
words: "Martha, consort of Washington : died May 21, 
1801, aged U years." 

On the southwest corner, — left hand as you face the 
tomb, — is a monument erected to the memory of Judge 
Bushrod Washington and his wife, Anna Blackburn, who 
survived him but two days, aged 60. These words are 
upon the monument: "Within this vault lies the mortal 
remains of Bushrod Washington, * * * and by his 
side is interred his wife." Immediately opposite, on the 
right hand, as you face the tomb, is a monument erected to 
the memory of John A. Washington, (the 2nd,) and Han- 

* Tke commou impression of a heart. 



MOUNT VERNON. IS 

nah Lee, liis wife, with these words, — ''Within this vault 
lie John Augustine Washington and his wife." — 

At the right, on the eastern side of the vault, are two 
monuments. These are enclosed with iron railings, like 
those of Bushrod's and John A's. ; one erected to the 
memory of Eleanor Park Lewis, grand-daughter of General 
Washington. It has these words inscribed upon one side, 
" Reared under the roof of the Father of his Country, this 
lady was not more remarkable, while living, for her beauty 
of person than for the superiority of her mind. She lived 
to be admired, and died to be regretted, in the 74th year 
of her age." The other is " Sacred to the memory of Mrs. 
M. E. A. Conrad, wife of Charles, of New Orleans, and 
daughter of Charles and Eleanor P.Lewis, and grand-niece 
of General Washington, born April 1st, 1813, at Wood- 
d-own, Fairfax County, Ya., and died September 21st, 1839, 
at Pass Christian, Miss., in the 2tth year of her age." 

''. The tomb of Washington will ever stand on the list of 
cherished and admired places, that have a halo of glory en- 
circled around them. This sacred spot has a thousand 
tongues, and whether it speaks silently to the mind, or in 
words of sweet accent, none the less does it proclaim all the 
associations of his great name, which is baptized in ever- 
lasting gratitude in the bosom of his people." 

The following just tribute, to the memory and virtues of 
Washington, from the pen of Phillips, an Englishman, do 
justice to the head and heart of the writer : 

" It matters very little what immediate spot may have 
been the birth-place of such a man as Washington. No 
people can claim, no country can appropriate him. The 
boon of Providence to the human race, his fame eternity, 



16 MOUNT VERNON. 

and Ms residence creation. Though it was the defect of our 
arms, and the disgrace of our policy, I ahnost bless the con- 
vulsion in which he had his origin. If the heavens thunder- 
ed, and the earth rocked, yet, when the storm had passed, 
how pure was the climate that it cleared ! how bright in the 
brow of the firmament was the planet which it revealed to 
us ! In the production of Washington, it does really ap- 
pear as if Nature was endeavoring to improve upon herself, 
and that all the virtues of the ancient world were but so 
many studies preparatory to the patriot of the new. 

^^ Individual instances, no doubt, there were, splendid ex- 
emplifications of some singular qualifications : Coesar was 
merciful, Scipio was continent, Hannibal was patient ; but 
it was reserved for Washington to blend them all in one, 
and, like the lovely master-piece of the Grecian artist, to 
exhibit, in one glow of associated beauty, the pride of every 
model, and the perfection of every master. As a general, 
he marshalled the peasant into a veteran, and supplied . by 
discipline the absence of experience ; as a statesman, he en- 
larged the policy of the cabinet into the most comprehen- 
sive system of general advantage : and such was the wisdom 
of his views, and the philosophy of his counsels, that, to the 
soldier and the statesman he almost added the character of 
the sage I A conqueror, he was untainted with the crime 
of blood ; a revolutionist, he was free from every stain of 
treason ; for aggression commenced the contest, and his 
Country called him to the command. Liberty unsheathed 
his sword, necessity stained, victory returned it. If he had 
paused here, history might have doubted what station to 
assign him ; whether at the head of her citizens, or her sol- 
diers, her heroes, or her patriots. But the last glorious act 



MOUNT VERNON. It 

crowns his career, and banishes all hesitation. "Who like 
Washington, after having emancipated a hemisphere, re- 
signed its crowns, and preferred the retirement of domestic 
life to the adoration of a land he might be almost said to 
have created I 

"Happy, proud America 1 The lightning of heaven 
yielded to your philosophy I The temptations of earth 
could not seduce your patriotism I" 

On Friday, 13th of December, 1199, he was taken with 
an inflammatory disease of the throat; and as it made rapid 
advancement, he felt its power severing the silver cords of 
life ; extending himself on his dying bed, closed his eyes 
with his own hands, then folded his arms upon his breast, 
and uttered the words, "Father of Mercies take me to Thy- 
self!" and fell asleep, to wake no more on earth, on Satur- 
day night, the 14th. He expressed in his will that he should 
be buried in a private manner, and without any parade or 
funeral oration. But in this instance his fellow citizens 
could not be induced from going contrary to his desire, and 
therefore assembled in great numbers to witness this melan- 
choly event, and pay their last tribute of respect to his 
earthly remains ; whereas he was buried with military hon- 
ors and religious ceremonies, on Wednesday, the 18th, at 2 
o'clock, P. M. 

THE FUNERAL OF WASHINGTOK 

The following from the Ulster County Gazette of Jan. 4, 
1800, gives a brief account of the funeral of Washington : 

Georgetown, December 20th. 
On Wednesday last the mortal part of Washington — the 



18 MOUNT TERNON, 

father of his country and the friend of man — was consigned 
to the tomb with solemn honors, and with funeral pomp. 

A multitude of persons assembled from many miles around 
at Mount Yemon, the choice abode and last residence of the 
illustrious chief. There were the groves — the spacious 
avenues — the beautiful and sublime scenes — the noble man- 
sion — but alas ! the august inhabitant was now no more. — 
That great soul g-one. His mortal part was there, indeed ! 
but oh ! how affecting I how awful the spectacle of such 
worth and greatness, thus, to mortal eyes fallen — yes, fallen ! 
fallen ! 

In the long and lofty portico, where oft the hero walked 
in all his glory, now lay the shrouded corpse. The counte- 
nance still composed and serene, seemed to express the dig- 
nity of the spirit which lately dwelt in that lifeless form. 
There, those who paid the last sad honors to the benefactor 
of his country took an impressive and a farewell view. 

On the ornament at the head of the coffin was inscribed 
"Surge ad Judicum" — about the middle of the coffin, 
" Gloria Deo " — and on the silver plate — 

GENERAL 

GEOUGE WASHINGTON 

Departed this life on the 14th December, 
1T99, ^t. 68. 

Between three and four o'clock the sound of artillery from 
a vessel in the river firing minute guns awoke afresh our 
solemn sorrow — the corpse was moved — a band of music, 
with mournful melody, melted the soul into all the tender- 
ness of woe. 

The procession was formed, and moved in the following 



MOUNT VERNON. 19 

order : Cavalry, infantry and guard, with arms reversed : 
music ; clergy ; the General's horse, with his saddle, holsters 
and pistols ; Cols. Sims, Ramsay and Payne, pall-bearers. 
The Corpse. Cols. Gilpin, Marsteller and Little, pall, 
bearers ; mourners; Masonic brethren ; citizens. 

When the procession had arrived at the bottom of the 
elevated lawn, on the banks of the Potomac, where the family 
vault is placed, the cavalry halted, the infantry marched 
towards the mount and formed their lines ; the clergy, the 
masonic brothers and the citizens descended to the vault, 
and the funeral service of the church was performed. The 
firing was repeated from the vessels in the river and the 
sounds echoed from the woods and hills around. 

Three general discharges by the infantry, the cavalry and 
eleven pieces of artillery, which lined the banks of the 
Potomac back of the vault, paid the last tribute to the en- 
tombed commander of the armies of the United States and 
to the departed hero. 

The sun was now setting. Alas ! the son of glory was 
set forever. No — the name of Washington, the American 
President and General, will triumph over death I The un- 
clouded brightness of his glory will illuminate the future 
ages I 

Washington was, in the prime of life, six feet two inches 
in stature, and weighed more than two hundred pounds — 
some say about two hundred and fifty pounds. He had 
broad shoulders, full, and very deep chest, and every way 
rounded out, symmetrical and compact ; and was a thrifty 
corresponding shoot of the old trunk from which he de- 
scended, (as Bulwer describes him) the Earl of Warwick, 
the " kingmaker and last of the Barons." 



20 MOUNT VERNON. 

" When the proud fleet of the English, in the time of the 
last war, was coming up the Potomac river, in front of 
Mount Yernon, in hostile aspect, halted in their course, 
amid the curling smoke of their minute-guns, showing their 
deep respect and veneration to the memory of our illustri- 
ous Washington." And such is the cherished love and 
deep gratitude, in the American bosom, for our hero — sage! 
that the bell of every steamer rings as often as they pass 
the hallowed spot. — 

" Great, without pomp ; without ambition, brave ; 
Proud, not to conquer fellow-men, but save." 

Since the decease of the "Father of his Country" there 
has but little transpired to create interest in connexion 
with the history of Mount Yernon. The estate has been 
narrowed down from 2,500 acres [the number it contained 
when Lawrence Washington, elder half-brother to George, 
received it as a bequest from his father Augustine, at the 
same time giving it the name of Mount Yernon,] to 1,224 
acres. Little or no repairs, embellishments, or care to the 
preservation of its artistic and natural beauty, have been 
bestowed upon it. The buildings are generally in an ad- 
vanced stage of decay ; brick walls falling ; fences broken 
down; brambles and wild grass growing where verdure, 
flowers and fruits were wont to spring and flourish, in the 
palmy days of its former lord. ********** 

Yet, notwithstanding the ravages of Time and the ne- 
glect of successors, such is the interest that still — and ever 
will circle round this hallowed spot, — that thousands visit 
it annually, with patriotic love and devotion which may well 
be said to vie with the blind and superstitious devotee of 



1 



MOUNT VERNON. 21 

Mahomet, who thinks himself a poor disciple of the "great- 
est of Prophets " if he does not visit Mecca, once at least 
during his life. During the greater part of the year there is a 
steamboat which makes semi-weekly trips to Mount Vernon. 
Fare from Washington City and back, one dollar ; stopping 
usually about one hour, which time is consumed in viewing 
very imperfectly the premises and relics in the Mansion, 
which are kept in the two rooms only open for visitors. 

The present owner and occupant is John Augustine 
Washington (the 3d) great grand-nephew of George Wash- 
ington. A great, praiseworthy and glorious event has 
come into existence within the last six years, connected 
with the home and resting place of Washington ! We re- 
fer to the formation of the " Ladies' Mount Yernon Asso- 
ciation," inaugurated for the purpose of raising funds to 
purchase, renovate and restore to their original beauty, the 
Mansion, Tombs, Monuments, landing place, etc. etc, to- 
gether with the two hundred acres that immediately sur- 
round all the buildings, objects, &c. This Association, 
after repeated solicitations have succeeded in stipulating 
with the owner for the above number of acres, for the sum 
of $200,000. We understand some $300,000 are wanted 
in order to complete the purchase and improvements con- 
templated, and that half the sum has already been raised, 
and daily remittances animate the hearts of those heroic, 
patriotic, (and will-be-immortalized) women with the cheer- 
ing hope that ere the close of 1859 the purchase sum, if not 
all the necessary funds will have been raised. In connexion 
with this National enterprise we are proud to mention the 
name of Edward Everett as the greatest assistant and co- 
laborer the ladies have had (a "ladies^ man" worth having,) 



22 MOUNT VERNON. 

and to his sympathy, patriotism and untiring zeal is due 
much of the present and anticipated success of this great 
undertaking. The revolutionary struggle demanded such a 
man as Washington, and nature's God furnished him I 
This project needed an Everett to quicken its success and 
the ladies found the man. 



MOUNT VERNON. 23 

MOUNT YERNON. 

BY JO. AUGUSTA. 

Home of the Hero aad tlie Sage, 
What hallo w'd thoughts our minds engage. 
As mem'ry hounds around the grounds 
Of thy sweet shade, Mount Yernon I 

'Twas there thro' fair and peaceful years. 
Dim as that mansion now appears, 
That a pure soul with firm control 

Cast blessings from Mount Yernon ! 

Now all is silent, sad and lone — • 
The mighty sleeps within the tomb I 
Great Washington ! tlij race is run, 

And loYC weeps o'er Mount Yernon ! 

Yet, from that still and sacred tomb. 
Fame's clarion voice shall ring thro' time^ 
And millions turn back to thy urn. 

With spotless faith. Mount Yernon ! 

Oh ! may no future hist'ry tell. 
That this bright spot has lost its spell : 
With reverent trust, our Father's dust. 
Guard ever with Mount Yernon ! 



24 



MOUNT VERNON. 



KEY TO HENSEL'S PICTIHIE OF MOUNT VERNON, 
HOME OF WASHINGTON. 

We commence at the new tomb, because ninety-five out of every 
hundred persons visiting the spot go there by water, and land 
directly opposite the new vault ; consequently they commence at 
that spot to inspect the premises. 



No. 1, Family Vault (built 1831.) 

•• 2, Ante-chamber ( " 1837,; 

^' 3, Monument to Judge B. 
and Anna Blackburn 
Washington. 

•' 4, Monument to John A. 
Washington. 

" 5, Monument to Mrs. M. E. 
Conrad. 

" 6, Monument to Mrs. Eleanor 
P. Lewis. 

" 7, Photograph Saloon. 

»' •?, Plank-walk leading'to the 
old Tomb. 

" 9, Ice-house. 

'« 10, Stable and Carriage-house 

" 11, Corn-house and Wagon 
sheds. 

" 12, Old Tomb, (where Wash- 
ington, was first de- 
posited.} 

" 13, Summer-house, (the base 
is used for an Ice-house. J 

" 14, Milk-house. 

" 15, Beehives. — 

" 16, Chicken-coops. 

" 17, Negro Quaiters. 

" 18, Smoke-house and Ash- 
pit. 



No. 19, Negro Quarters. 

" 20, Watch-house. 

** 21, Kitchen and Laundry. 

" 22. Mansion of WashingtOD. 

" 23, Arcades. 

'' 24, Overseer's-house. 

" 25, Negro Quarters. 

" 26, Store-house. 

" 27, Duck and Pigeon-house. 

** 28, Negro Quarters. 

" 29, Family Ice-house. 

" 30, Feed-house (for Swine.) 

'* 31, Ruins of old Green- 
house.* 

" 32, Mechanic's Shop. 

" 33, Green-house. 

" 34, Seed-houses. 

"35, Water-closets. 

*' 36, Flower-garden. 

" 37, Vegetable and Fruit gar- 
den. 

'' 38, Avenues. 

<' 39, Circular Grass-plot. 

" 40, Park, or Lawn. 

" 41, Alexandria Road.f 

*' 42, Farm -Road leading to 
Stable. 

" 43, Eastern Lawn. 

" 44, Main Avenue. 



* The Green-house was destroyed by fire, Dec. 16, 1835. 

I By the Alexandria Koad is the only land communication with Moont Venioa. 



f 



EXTRA INDUCEMENT 

For 2o cents each, persons can now visit 

HENSEt'S MODEL OF MOUNT VERNOi 

HOME OF WASHINGTON, 

And be presented with a History of Mount Vernon, from 1 7 
to 1859, and the 

PEDIGREE OF WASHINGTON 

BACK TO KING RICHARD III . GRATIS. 
CowtU'a New Hall, S. W. cor. of Chestnut and Seventh Sf 

Open from 9 o'cloek, A. M., until 10 P. M. 

HOME OF WASHINGTON 

A l'ITHOGRAPH IX TINTS, 

HEFSEL'S PICTURE, 

Representing TWO HUNDRED ACRES, purchased by t 
LADIES' ASSOCIATION ; is now ready for sale and delivery at, 

8. W. corner Ttli and Chestnut Stroets, at Cowell's fiew Ha 

Size 18 inches by 24. A portion of the proceeds of this Pictt 
i will be donated to the 

^S^Agents wanted for all parts of th«' Union, and British Pj 
vinces, to canvas for the above Picture. Liberal terms given. 

Pedigree of Washington & History of MonntVerno 

Now ready for sale and delivery to Agents, and the Trade, at ve 
low rates ; 24 pages, 12mo., and stitched in paper: the Histo 
dates back from 1743, and comes down to 1859. The Pedigree go 
back to King Richard III, 

i^^ All Papers giving the three above Notices, one insertic 
will be sent one of the above Pictures b^unail. 



Lbih 



'm. 



** ;«"•♦ ^^^ 

















'>%■ 



<> *' .VT' .,0 










•^A 

















♦...• .0' 'V '. ••• ■s^ o ....♦ .0' 




.^^"-^ 












♦ S> ^.^r^,- ,o'> 






'^a>c,"i- 



.^'%. V 

























*^..%* 












'••♦ ■'b. 




:. <>•„ 1* 



?!" . 







: -^^0^ 



V*"'- **^ 



.^^ 



WERT „ ^^ -> .•• -^ 

Crantvi e Pa ■ • « «S>> ^j ^i^^M/g^fc,^ *rj. xT^ ► « 6!.. 




Oi»»(ity 8ot>«4i 









